Florida couple saved from burning car by off-duty deputy

SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) - A Florida couple trapped inside their burning vehicle were rescued by an off-duty deputy riding by on his motorcycle.

The Sarasota Herald-Tribune reports the Manatee County Sheriff's deputy says he doesn't think it was an accident that he was there to help the husband and wife escape before their car was engulfed in flames Sunday afternoon.

The sheriff's office says there were no serious injuries because quick actions by Willie Finklea saved 64-year-old Neil Cook and 65-year-old Claudia Cook.

Finklea said he resorted to cautiously firing his personal gun to shatter a window and get them out. Finklea said he had no other tools to get inside the car and had tried banging on the window with his hand.